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Species Details

Details of Ribbon Eel will be displayed below

Ribbon Eel   

Common Name: Ribbon Eel
Scientific Name: Rhinomuraena quaesita
Local Name: -
Dhivehi Name: -
Animalia  (Kingdom)
Chordata  (Plylum)
Actinopterygii  (Class)
Anguilliformes  (Order)
Muraenidae  (Family)
Rhinomuraena   (Genus)

Ribbon Eel's description

The ribbon eel (Rhinomuraena quaesita), also known as the leaf-nosed moray eel or bernis eel, is a species of moray eel, the only member of the genus Rhinomuraena.

Based on observed colour changes, it is generally considered a protandric hermaphrodite (first male, then changing sex to female), although this has yet to be confirmed. Colour change related to sex change is not known from any other moray eel species. The presumed juveniles and subadults are jet black with a yellow dorsal fin, in adult males the black is replaced by blue, and adult females are entirely yellow or yellow with some blue to the posterior. The blue adult males range from 65 to 94 cm (26 to 37 in) in length, while the larger yellow females can reach up to 130 cm (51 in). In captivity, the colour differences are not related to maturity or sex.

Ribbon Eel's facts

Did you know?
Like moray eels (and unlike most fish), the ribbon eel has to open and close its mouth in order to circulate water towards its gills (in order to breathe).

Ribbon eel has several characteristics that have lead experts to suggest that it should be placed in its own family, these include the positioning of its kidneys and most of its reproductive organs posterior to the anus (a unique condition that has not been reported in any other vertebrate) (Michael 1998).

Ribbon Eel's Behavior & Ecology

Rhinomuraena quaesita can be found in lagoons and on coastal reef slopes.  Although sometimes observed living in holes in the hard reef substrate, it is most commonly seen in sand or mud, or among coral rubble, sometimes with only its head protruding. 

This species tends to be site attached; individuals have been known to stay in the same hole for months or even years.  Juveniles are found individually, but it is not uncommon to find more than one male in the same area.  In some cases, males will even share the same hole within the sandy substrate.

Ribbon Eel's Feeding

During the day, individuals feed on small fishes that pass close to the burrow entrance.

Ribbon Eel habitat

Rhinomuraena quaesita can be found in lagoons and on coastal reef slopes.  Although sometimes observed living in holes in the hard reef substrate, it is most commonly seen in sand or mud, or among coral rubble, sometimes with only its head protruding.

This species tends to be site attached; individuals have been known to stay in the same hole for months or even years.  Juveniles are found individually, but it is not uncommon to find more than one male in the same area.  In some cases, males will even share the same hole within the sandy substrate.  During the day, individuals feed on small fishes that pass close to the burrow entrance.

Rhinomuraena quaesita has several characteristics that have lead experts to suggest that it should be placed in its own family — the Rhinomuraenidae; these include the positioning of its kidneys and most of its reproductive organs posterior to the anus (a unique condition that has not been reported in any other vertebrate) (Michael 1998).

This species is a protandrous hermaphrodite, i.e., all females are derived from males that have changed sex.

Ribbon Eel threats

It is unlikely that Rhinomuraena quaesita is being impacted by any major threat processes.  In Indonesia, this species is commercially harvested for the aquarium trade using cyanide fishing.  However, this is a localised threat and not significant to the global population.

Ribbon Eel's status